OK, Week 2 for many, Week 1 for some.
And I know I’m on top of my game. Here’s a look at my thoughts on the upcoming action.
Friday
Central Catholic at Lawrence … The winner is the city if the fans turn out for this one like they should. The loser, all of you who know you should be there because they deserve your support, but you don’t show. Any less than 2,000 fans and its a travesty.
Raiders in a contrast of styles, 31-30
North Andover at Andover … Alex Blane’s coming out party. It says here that the Knights win the trench battle, and Zac Iovanella closes the deal.
Turkey Towners prevail, 21-14.
Salem at Londonderry … THE game in the Granite State as both clubs bid to make their statement as a factor in the Division 1 title race.
Sorry Blue Devils, the host Lancers deliver 28-14.
North Reading at Tyngsboro … The bumps and bruises of the week-to-week deal start to get magnified quickly with only 18 players.
Too much Tyngsboro, 23-12.
Haverhill at Malden … I didn’t like the way QB Carlos Almeida’s knee looked when he got run over at Lawrence last week. Dave Dyer might not believe in his hometown Hillies, but I do.
Haverhill 13-0
Concord-Carlisle at Methuen … The Rangers, over the past few seasons, have learned how to deal with losing. But can 1-0 Methuen handle winning? I say yes.
Rangers roll on, 16-6
Pinkerton at Memorial … A battle of spread offenses? Hmmm. We’ll see.
Stros 26-3.
Dover at Timberlane … Time to play a little Ride the Wave.
Dover’s doing it, doing it and doing it well, 22-12.
Trinity at Pelham … I love the point guard matchup here, Justin Hojlo vs. Jordan LaGuerre, but you just don’t bust into Harris Field and win. Not in my town. Not in any of my five towns. (bonus points if you know the reference).
The Vieira/Babaian Pythons 36, Division 1 hoop power Trinity 18.
Greater Lawrence at Somerville … Is John Hannah still coaching Somerville? What does it matter, besides blog responder “Dan” has the Reggies going to the playoffs again.
Sarkis, Sarkis and Sas 26, Somerville 17.
Saturday’s games
Matignon at Georgetown … In 1972, Joe Esposito’s long lost uncle Phil centered the best first line in the game with Wayne Cashman and Ken Hodge on the wings. The Chief, Johnny Bucyk, joined Espo on the power play and always found No. 7 in the high slot or found Orr with a silky smoth diagonal pass to the right point. God I loved the Bruins back then. Oh yeah, the football game, sorry. This is not the Super 8, so Matignon loses.
A Royal flogging, Georgetown 36, Icemen 6
Whittier at Charlestown … There is no truth the rumor that Jack O’Brien is on the Chuck-town sidelines.
Bradley’s boys 14, Townies 7
Kennett at Sanborn … The one time I watched Kennett face a first-year program was back in the early 1990s when startup Pelham opened on Labor Day weekend in Conway. The Pythons fought traffic and a giant, talented K-group and didn’t get a first down for their trouble. Sanborn may suffer similarly, sans the holiday traffic.
Boom Sciacca-tack 27, Indians 6. Honest.
Last week Longo 6-3, Dyer 7-2.
